Golf club



Aug. 16,1927.

G. E. BARNHART GOLF CLUB Filed Nov. 23. 1926 INI/EN TOR. 650,965 E@ARM/4,97'

J ma if j BY@ @uu/Www A TTURNEY Patented Aug. 16, 1927.

UNITED STATES 1,639,548 PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE E. BARNHABT, 0F PABADENA, CALIFORNIA.

GOLF CLUB.

Application illed November 23, 1926. Serial No. 150,222.

My invention relates to golf clubs, and more particularly to theconstruction of shafts of golf clubs and the connections thereof withthe heads of the golf clubs.

The objects of my invention are: first, to provide a golf club shaftwhich is spirally slotted so that the same will yield torsionally to aconsiderable degree; second, to provide a golf club shaft which isspirally slotted in such a manner that the same will yield readily whentwisted in one direction but Will tend to resist twisting in theopposite direction; third, to provide a ferrule for golf clubs which isundercut at its interior to permit diametrical expansion of portionsbetween spiral slots of the spirally slotted, tubular shaft positionedwithin the ferrule; fourth, to provide a golf club having a tubularferi'ule and a spil-ally slotted, tapered, tubular shaft positioned withits spirally slotted portion within the ferrule and secured at its innerend-to the head, the outer end of the ferrule fitting closely, yetniovably around the shaft` the spiral tintes being so arranged as topermit longitudinal extension of the shaft relative to the ferrule andalso slight clearance of the shaft with respect to the interior surfaceof the extended end of the ferrule when the shaft is twisted in onedirection, and also to permit longitudinal contraction of said sha l'twhen twisted in the opposite direction, the longitudinal contraction ofsaid shaft resulting in tightening of the latter with respect. to theinterior surface at the extended end of said fcrrnle; fifth, to providea spirally slotted shaft for golf clubs which will simultaneouslyprovide ready torsional yielding and longitudinal flexion, as well asresiliency torsionally and longitudinally; sixth, to provide a ferrulefor golf club heads which is tubular in construction and provided withrelatively thin walls so that the same will yield longitudinally withthe shaft extending therein and secured at its end to the head: seventh,to provide a golf club having a shaft-positioning socket, on its headand a shaft mounted with one end within the socket and shiftablerelative to the outer end of the latter, said socket being so'constructed as to prevent buckling of the shaft at or near the outer endof the socket; eifvhth, to provide a golf club of this class in w ichdirt, dust and grit is excluded from the ferrule and the space betweenthe saine and the shaft by an elastic sleeve or band extended aroundboth the shaft and the ferrule at' the joint between the same; ninth. toprovide as a whole a novelly constructed golf club shaft and novel meansof connection thereof with the head of a golf club; and, tenth, toprovide a means of this class which 1s simple and economical ofconstruction, durable and which will not readily deteriorate.

Vith these and other objects in view as will apear hereinafter, myinvention consists of certain novel features of construction,combination and arrangementof parts and portions as will be hereinafterdescribed in detail and particularly set forth in the appended claims,reference being had to the accompanying drawings and to the charactersof reference thereon which form a part of this application in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view'of the head end of ametal head golf club incorporating my invention in one form, certainparts and portions thereof being broken away and in section tofacilitate the illustration; Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view'through the feri'ule and shaft taken on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3is a slightly modified form of the ferruie construction of the golf clubhead adapted for my special shaft, the ferrule being shown in section tofacilitate the illustration; Fig. 4 is a similar view thereof, showingthe ferrule as a separate member and secured to the head of the club;Fig. 5 is another fragmentary sectional elevational View thereof,showing still another slightly modified form of ferrule construction ofmy invention; and, Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional elevational view ofthe structure shown in Fig. 1 with an elastic sleeve over the jointbetween the shaft and the ferrule.

Like characters of reference refer to similar parts and portionsthroughout the several-Views of the drawings.

Ihe head 1 of the golf club, shown in Fig. 1, is a conventional type ofgolf club head, but is provided with a special ferriile 2. .Said ferruleis tubular and is tapered from its connection with the head to a reduceddiameter at its outer end. The shaft, indicated by 3, is also tubularand is preferably madc of steel or other suitable metal.

Said shaft, as shown. is tapered from its handle end` not shown, to areduced diameter at the end connected with the head. The small end ofthe shaft is positioned within the ferriile and the extreme end of thereduced portion is secured to the shank end of the head to which thefertule is connected. The method of securing the end of the shaft to thehead ma vary to suit conditions. As shown, in the rawings, the shank endof the head is provided with an outwardly tapered recess 1l in which theend of the shaft is positioned. In the recess 1v and around the end ofthe shaft, is poured molten brass, or other suitable binder.

The ortion of the shaft 3 within the ferrule 2 is provided with aplurality of spiral slots 3*. The ends of the slots, nearest the end ofthe shaft are spaced from saidend of the shaft and the opposite ends ofsaid slots are Preferably spaced inwardly from the end o the ferrule, asshown. Said slots are p ferably left-hand and of considerable pitc Asthe ball or other object is struck with the head 1 the portions of thevshaft between the spiral slots, or iutes yield readiliy to the impact ina circular direction provi insg yielding and resilient force against theb l, or other object. When the ball, or

other object, is struck by the head, the Hporf utes tions of the shaftbetween `the spiral expand radially beyond their normal diameter andalso rmit the shaft 'to be extendedlongitu inally relative to the head.To take care of the radial, or transverse exansion of the shaftwithinthe ferrule, the errule is undercut between its inner end and a slightdistance from its outer end, as indicated by 2".

The wall of the bore of the ferrule betweenl the undercut portion andthe outer end thereof fits closely around the shaft,I but when the shaftis extended lo tudinally, as mentioned above, sliiit playr is providedbetween the shaft and e wal of the bore, permitting slight independentflexion of the shaft relative to the ferrula It will be noted, however,that the wall of the ferrule is relatively thin, particularly at andnear its outer end, permitting said portion of the ferrule to iiex withthe shaft when the latter is ilexed beyond the limit permitted by theclearance between the shaft and the ferrule, as stated. Thus the strainon the shaft is reduced to a When the head of the club is twisted in thedirection opposite to that permitted b the normal blow, the portions ofthe sha between the s iral iiutes are contracted diametrically an theshaft is contracted in len permitting the tapered shaft to be tig tenedagainst the wall of the bore at the outer end of the ferrule, providinless torsional yielding and resiliency and c eckin the recoil.

t will be herenoted that, although a particular type of 1golf club headis illustrated and a partie ar metal head referred to, my invention maybe applied to other types now in use without deviating from the Leaguespirit of the invention. It will also be noted t at, although theferrule is shown as an integral part of the metal head, the ferrule maybe applied as a separate member for repairing conventional c ubs.

The ferrules, shown in Figs. 3 and 4, are made slightly heavier at theirouter ends and therefore do not ield as readil to and in co-operationwith t e flexion of t e shaft. The bores at the outer ends of theferrules, in Fi 3 and 4, are tapered outwardly in curv form so as topermit greater lon itudinal flexion of the 'shaft relative to t eferrule. The undercut portions 2, in the structures shown in Fi 3 and 4,ermit iiexion of the shaft wit in the ferr e and substantially permitthe shaft to be pivoted at the constricted ortion 2b at the inner end ofthe bore beyon the undercut portion.

The structure shown in Fig. 4 is identical with that shown in Fig. 3except that the ferrule is shown as a separate member and securedto theshank of the head 1, as when e being secured to the shank of the head inany conventional y manner, such as by brazing, welding, or the like.

In the modified form of construction, shown in Fig. 5, the ferrule isnot undercut, thereby resisting, to a great extent, transverse expansionand limiting the flexibility. The outer end of the bore, in thestrutture shown in Fig. 5, is also shown outwardly divergent to rmitgreater independent flexion of the s aft relative to the ferrule.

In Fig. 6 of the drawings, I have shown a flexible cap, sleeve, or band5, around the joint between the outer end` of the ferrule and the Shaftfor excluding dirt, dust and grit from entering the ferrule and lodgingetween the same and the shaft and thus preventing proper co-actionbetween the same. The` sleeve 5 is preferably made of rubber in taperedform and is positioned with its thick end around the end of the ferruleand the thin or fin end around the repairing conventional golf clubs,the fer` ru shaft. Thus, the shaft is permitted to flex,A

twist and expand relative to the ferrule and still exclude dir dust andgrit therefrom. It will be noted t at a similar sleeve may be positionedaround the joints of the ferrules and shafts shown in Figures 3, 4 and5, or a cap, or Washer may be positioned within the end of the ferrulearound the shaft.

Though I have shown and described a particular construction, combinationand arrangement of parts and portions, and certain modificationsthereof, I do not wish to be limited to this particular construction;combination and arrangement, nor to rthe modiiications, but desire toinclude in the scope of my invention the construction, combination andarrangement substantially as setforth in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what 'said shaft a ferrule and a andto the inner end of said ferrule, the rtion of said shaft within saidferrule slotted.

ing spirally 4. A golf club havin a ferrule and a shaft secured at oneen within' and to the inner end of said ferrule, the portion of withinsaid Vferrule being provided with spiral slots, said slots beinglefthand and of considerable itch.

Y 5. In a golf club, a hea provided with a shaft securing ferrule, and atubular shaft secured at one end within and to the inner end of saidferrule, said shaft being provided at the portion within the ferrulewith spirally arranged slots.

6. In a golf club, a head provided with a shaft securing ferrule, and atubular shaft secured at one end within and to the inner end of saidferrule, said shaft being pro` vided at the portion within the ferrulewith spirally arranged slots said slots being left-y ferrule, theportion of the ferrule secured to' the head being of lar r outerdiameter and tapered to a small lameter at the end of saidferrule, and ashaft positioned within said ferrule and secured at the extneme endthereof to said head, the portion of said shaft within said ferrulebeing spirally slotted and readily caV able of jlding longitudinally,said sha being adapted to be flexed longitudinall wlth said ferrule.

8. In a gol club, a ead provided with` a ferrule, and a tapered, tubularshaft positioned with its small end within said ferrule and secured atsaid end to-said head, the rtion of said shaft within said ferrulellieing provided with spiral slots. 9. In a golf clu a head provided 'tha tubular ferrule, an a tubular shaft'extending into said ferrule andsecured at one end to said head, the portion of said shaft within saidferrule be' spirally slotted and the portionrof said 1 errule around thespirally slotted portion of said shaft being undercut to permittransverse expansion o said shaft. i

10. In a golf club, a head having a socket, a shaft secured at one endwithin said socket, the portion of the shaft within the outer end of thesocket being movable relative to the latter, and a flexible memberpositioned at the joint between the outer end portion of said socket andsaid shaft.

11. In a 'lf club, a head provided with a ferrule, anni0 a tubular shaftpositioned with its one end in said ferrule and secured at said endthereina said shaft being provided at the portion within the ferrulewith spirally arranged slots.

12. In a lf club, a head, a shaft securedI thereto, an means on saidhead for engaging said shaft a slight distance fr om the end secured tothe head, said means providing a bearing portion for said shaft, theportion of the shaft between its secured end and said means being sirally slotted.

13.' In a golf clu a head having a tubular metal ferrule, the portion ofthe ferrule secured to the head being of lar r outside diameter and tared to a small iameter at the end 'of the geerrule, the outer portion ofthe ferrule bein relatively thin walled and the extreme en having a thinedge, the interior walls thereof being undercut at a distance inwardlyfrom the upper end of the ferrule, and a metal shaft positioned with oneend in said ferrule and secured at said end to said head, said shaft` enaging directly the wall of the bore of the errule at the normallygilpperend thereof, the outer end of said fe e bei capable of being flexed withthe flexion o sai shaft.

14. In a golf club, a head havi a metal ferrule of relatively thinwalls, an a metal shaft secured at one end within said fer-rule, theinterior walls of the ferrule being undercut at a distance inwardldyfrom the upper end of the ferrule, sai shaft ging directly the wallofthe bore of the errule at the normally upper end thereof, said ferrulebeing capable of `ready longitudinal exion with said shaft.

In testimon whereof, I have hereunto set m hand at Angeles, California,this 9th day of November 1926.

Gunoadn E. BARNHART.

the rule said sha Aboil 1,089,548 9 I claim as new and desire to secureby Letto said head, the portion of said shaft withters Patent is: insaid ferrule bein spirally slotted and 1. A lf club havlng' a shaft'rovided spital slots, and means eovel? and ah'xlxlgfhe whole of the'slotted ponrltm of e a 2. A golf club having a tubular shaft pro videdwith slots in its wall, rigid means covering the slotted portion of theshaft, the

tter being movable relative to the former, and flexible means sealing ejoint between said means and said shaft.

3. A golf club havi a ferrule and a shaft secured at one en within andto the inner end of said ferrule, the shlzftzd within said ferrule slo4. A golf club having a ferrule and a shaft secured at one en withinvand to the inner end of said ferrule, the portion of ft within saidlfexrule being provided with piral slots, said slots being lefthand ando considerable ch. Y

.5. In a golf club, a headp provided with a shaft seo ferrule, and atubular shaft secured at one endy within and to the inner end of saidferrule, said shaft being provided at the portion within the fer-rulewith spirally arranged slots.

6. In a golf club, a head provided with a shaft securing ferrule, and atubular shaft secured at one end within and to the inner end of saidferrule, said shaft being rovided at the portion within the ferrule withEgmg spirally spil-ally arranged slots) said slots being left-` itch.having a tubular hand and of considera le 7. In a golf club, a hearrule, the portion of the the head being of lar r outer diameter andtapered to a small 'ameter at the end of said' ferrule, and a shaftpositioned within said ferrule and secured at the extmme end thereof` tosaid head, the portion of said shaft within said ferrule being s irallyslot- -ted and readily cagable of yie ding longitudinally, said shabeing also adapted to exed lo 'tudinall with said ferrule. 8. In a golclub, a ead provided with` a ferrule, and a tapered, tubular shaftpositioned with its small end withinsaid ferrule and secured at said endto said head,

rtion of said shaft within said ferzaing provided with' spiral slots. 9.In a golf clu a head provided with a tubular ferrule, an a tubular shaftextending into said and secured at one end l 16, 1927,. iDiselaimerledHere entersthisdisclaimer rtion of said ferrule secured to the portionof said errule around the spirally slotted portion of said shaftundercut to permit transverse expansion o said sift f b h A um socket,

0. a clu a eedA a a shaft secigd at one end within said socket, theportion of the shaft within the outer end of the socket being thelatter,- and a iiexlble sealing ,member positioned at the joint betweenthe outer end portion of said socket and said shaft.

11. In a '1f club, a head provided with a ferrule, an a tubular shaftpositioned with its one end in said ferrule and secured at said endtherein, said shaft being provided at the portion within the. ferrulewith spirally arranged slots.

12. In a lf club, a head, a shaft secured' thereto, an means on saidhead for engaging said shaft a slight distance from the end secured tothe head, said means providing a bearing portion for said shaft, theportion of the shaft between its secured end and said means beingspirally slotted.

13. In a golf clu a head a tubular metal ferrule, the portion of theferrule secured to the head being of larger outside diameter and ta eredto a smalll iameter at the end 'of the errule, the outer portion of theferrule bein the extreme en having a thin edge terior walls thereofbeing undercut at a distance inwardly` from the upper end of theferrule, and a metal shaft positioned with one end in said ferrule andsecured at said end to said head, said shaft` directly the wall of thebore of the errule at the normally u per end thereof, the outer end ofsaid ferrule be' ca le of being flexed with the flexion o sai shaft.

14. In a golf club, ahead ha ferrule of relatively thin walls, an ametal shaft secured at one end within said ferrule, the interior wallsof the fer-rule being under cut at apdistance inwa from the upper end ofthe ferrule, sai shaft directly the wall ofthe bore of the errule at thenormally u per end thereof, said ferrule being capab e flexion with saidsh A Inhtesimon whereof, I haovfulgreuntot: m an at Angel mi 9thNovember 19;. l

day of Gironde E. BARNHART.

DssouAlM ER Pasadena', Calif. Gom

che. mandated augus c thepatentee. p

movable relative to A alnetalv ofreadl aft. 'y om DISCLAIMER ,mamma-FWE. Pdm, Calif. Gom own. Pawn @ma Aug'm 16, 1927A. filed August 8, 1936,by tha patentes. Hereb enters this disclaimer to claim 10 of saidLetters Patent. v [gfical September 1, 1.936]

